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GHOSTHUNTER wrote:As Hugh mentions in His post earleir, Jack Odell did not like the 'Superfast' concept, they were ruining His beloved little models, he was a director of the company and actually resigned in 1973, so may have been over ruled in the development of the 'Superfast' range and the Regular Wheels had to give way, but we are now finding evidence through various models and prototypes the Two types of wheels very nearly co-existed together in the range, a view that does not seem to have been recognised before and certainly never hit on in the reference books, so we, the VBD forum members, are on the cusp of a new discovery...

From the 40 Years book (I think that’s right), we already know that there was a (presumably short-lived) suggestion that commercials should not be converted to SF. (Isn’t there a late edition of the 1969 catalogue where only certain vehicles – all cars IIRC - are marked as being available in Superfast?)
Taken together, what these two prototypes indicate to me is that 1) Lesney’s initial response to the Hot Wheels threat was to consider futuristic designs, but with RW, and 2) Lesney subsequently upped their game by making the designs more outlandish (i.e. even less realistic) and with low-friction wheels.

leonty24 wrote:Also if you look at red script Superfast box's the wheels depict wheel R/W chrome hubs.

Isn't that simply because the boxes have been overprinted with the red SF script (or, alternatively, because SF artwork was not available when fresh stocks needed to be ordered)?

Idris wrote:

leonty24 wrote:Also if you look at red script Superfast box's the wheels depict wheel R/W chrome hubs.

Isn't that simply because the boxes have been overprinted with the red SF script (or, alternatively, because SF artwork was not available when fresh stocks needed to be ordered)?

This does seem to be the case. The company were trying to do so much in a short period of time and there was a lot of work, so something had to be not fully converted or prepaired to fit in with the new 'Superfast' range and with boxes already printed for use on Regular Wheel models, it seems they just had to use them rather than scrap them and just get a simple overprinted 'Superfast' script added.

Yes Hugh, it is the 1969 (Second edition), pocket catalogue with just a few cars indicated as having the new 'Superfast' wheels.

Ghosthunter.

First, just for the record, those pictures from my website shown in this thread were originally taken from old Vectis auctions (with permission).

Second, I believe that this futuristic taxi model was intended to be a Superfast model from the outset. They probably just used a regular wheel set for the prototype because they did not have Superfast wheel sets available at the time. Remember those wheel sets were themselves in the pre-production stage and had to be used for many prototypes of new and converted Superfast models, so it comes as no surprise if they were in short supply for a while.

ChFalkensteiner wrote:First, just for the record, those pictures from my website shown in this thread were originally taken from old Vectis auctions (with permission).

As Christian gently (but very correctly) reminds us, we do need to take more care when posting third-part images on the Forum. At the very least, the source should be acknowledged. Would all members please take note and, as a minimum, add the source URL as the image title.

ChFalkensteiner wrote:Second, I believe that this futuristic taxi model was intended to be a Superfast model from the outset. They probably just used a regular wheel set for the prototype because they did not have Superfast wheel sets available at the time. Remember those wheel sets were themselves in the pre-production stage and had to be used for many prototypes of new and converted Superfast models, so it comes as no surprise if they were in short supply for a while.

I can see where you're coming from with this comment, Christian, and your theory is one which cannot be discounted. However, I would argue that of all departments, R&D would be the ones who could lay their hands on SF wheelsets, especially since we are talking about only two sets in a factory containing ten of thousands, if not more. Furthermore, since the initial appraisal of the proposed model would be based (amongst other things) on its visual impact/appeal, it would be odd to knowlingly fabricate a prototype using the wrong wheels.

Personally i think putting regular wheels on a sleek shape like the resin prototype would be a step backwards,its would in my mind always be destined for a type of superfast wheel,if it was more retro then perhaps ,
on a lighter note heres my main win from the designer auction sale,a spoked wheel iso with driver

Dave, if you have that Iso Griffo paper weight handy, can you show the underside, I will be looking for a 'Transpalite' brand name or at least a 'MADE IN ENGLAND', thank's.

Ghosthunter.

GHOSTHUNTER wrote:Dave, if you have that Iso Griffo paper weight handy, can you show the underside, I will be looking for a 'Transpalite' brand name or at least a 'MADE IN ENGLAND', thank's.

Ghosthunter.

I thought the same but the base is blank

OK Dave, thank's for checking.

Ghosthunter.

Are the Iso's axles crimped or riveted on the other side?